Wednesday News, June 26

Plymouth County Supervisors Discuss Cutting and Baling Of Grass Ditches

(Le Mars) -- The cutting of road side grass and baling that grass for hay purposes was the topic of discussion for the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors during their weekly meeting held Tuesday. At issue, is who's entitled to cutting and making hay from the roadside ditches? The Supervisors learned from County Engineer Tom Rohe that some haying of right-of-way ditches along the old highway 60 near Seney has occurred. The supervisors heard from various party's with interest in the issue. The supervisors agreed to review current policy and have scheduled to address the issue again in mid-July for possible revision.

Police Department Submits Quarterly Report

(Le Mars) -- The Le Mars Police Department has issued its quarterly report. During this past quarter, Police Chief Stuart Dekkenga says the local police had 1047 calls for service, 261 complaints that was investigated by officers, 542 trafic citations with 372 warnings. The police handled 49 traffic accidents, and made 119 arrests. Among the many duties and highlights included the night shift apprehended three suspects after a Verizon store break-in.

Wastewater Goes Into Storm Lake

STORM LAKE, Iowa (AP) - The Department of Natural Resources says a mechanical failure at a meatpacking plant caused thousands of gallons of wastewater to pour into Storm Lake in northwest Iowa. The DNR says Tuesday the problem was noticed Monday night when employees of Tyson Fresh Meats discovered wastewater coming out of the ground outside a lift station. Workers determined a joint on the piping had failed. The wastewater reached a storm sewer that empties into the lake near Awaysis Beach. The city of Storm Lake posted warnings, discouraging swimming until Friday. After discovering the discharge, Tyson and city officials worked to divert other wastewater to the city's sanitary sewer system.

Congressman King Opposes Immigration Bill

(Washington) -- As the U-S Senate is about to decide upon an important immigration bill, Iowa 4th District Republican Congressman, Steve King says he is concerned border security will be lost to amnesty. King, has been vocal about immigration issues since he first entered Congress says he believes some Republican Senators may vote for the promise of the bill, which King says those promises will never be kept.

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King is critical of the Obama administration's handling of immigration, saying the president has not lived up to his duties as spelled in the Constitution, to enforce immigration laws.

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The Iowa Congressman says the issue is so important to him that he cancelled some Iowa appearances earlier in the week so he could be in the nation's capital to urge fellow lawmakers to vote against the bill.

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The U-S Senate may take up the immigration vote either today, or perhaps tomorrow.

Muscatine Man Dies As A Result Of Monday's Storms

MUSCATINE, Iowa (AP) - An auto repair shop in Muscatine says an employee has died from injuries sustained during severe weather that damaged his work area. The Krieger Auto Group, which houses the Krieger Collision Center, posted on its Facebook page Tuesday that the male employee died Monday from injuries caused by severe weather that movedthrough the area Monday. The Muscatine Journal says the roof of the Krieger Collision Center collapsed and fell on the employee. He was transported to a hospital and later died. The newspaper reports Gov. Terry Branstad also mentioned the employee Tuesday during a visit to survey the affected area, which included a nearby Calvary Church and extensive debris.

State Park Closed Due To Flooding

WATERLOO, Iowa (AP) - Officials say a state park and campground in northeast Iowa have been closed because of flooding. The state Department of Natural Resources says George Wyth State Park closed Tuesday afternoon because of flooding from the nearby Cedar River. It is expected to reopen July 1 if there is no additional rainfall in the Cedar River watershed, and reservations for the days affected will be offered full refunds. The campground at Yellow River Forest in Allamakee County also has been closed after extensive flood damage during the past weekend. DNR officials say they're still evaluating damage and it's unknown when the campground will be reopened. No reservations will be taken until at least the end of July.

Computers, Blue Prints, and Other Items Stolen From New Prison Construction Site

FORT MADISON, Iowa (AP) - A Corrections Department spokesman say a break-in at a prison construction site in Fort Madison resulted in the theft of computers and software that detail facilitydrawings. Corrections spokesman Fred Scaletta says in a news release Tuesday the theft occurred June 19 at the construction site for the new Iowa State Penitentiary. Items stolen from a trailer adjacent to the fenced-off construction area included laptop computers and tools Danny Homan, president of the local council of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employee, calls the theft of prison plans a "major security breach." Homan also says staffing levels need to be raised to prevent contraband from entering the prison. Scaletta says prison officials welcome ideas from staff and that staffing levels haven't cause contraband to increase.